NBA JAM releasing on DISC at a hefty price with no online competition available until a later patch.

What a story the release of NBA JAM has been. First some thought we would never see the remake because of licensing. Then when find out the George Bush and Barrack Obama are in the Nintendo Wii version. So needless to say, I guess there isn't any Licensing issues here at all. Then word came that the NBA JAM would be released with EA's NBA Elite on the disc or DLC card in the game. At the last moment, that was cancelled and until today we didn't know when or how NBA JAM was going to be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

My professional guess when they pulled out of packing it in with NBA Elite was that EA figured out they could charge people full price for the game, which I'm sure isn't worth more than a high end arcade game. Guess what, it's $49.99. I hope you're still excited about NBA JAM. Wait there's more. When the game hits shelves worldwide on November 17, 2010. Online play will not be included. As of now, the press release says:

"At launch, gamers will be able to take on all rivals playing Classic 2-on-2 online^ for the first time ever, measuring their success on Friends and Global Leaderboards. In December 2010, the online features for NBA JAM will expand significantly with several major online features being delivered through a free title update for connected gamers. In December, connected fans will be able to team-up locally and online to compete in Remix Games, including classic arcade hoop games like Backboard Smash, Domination Free-for-All, Elimination, and 21. Fans will also be able to make it a Jam Party online by inviting up to 3 friends to play. Plus, gamers will be able to take on the world in Online Progression, levelling up through a series of challengers and secret online JAM Challenges to unlock online exclusive rewards and hidden content in the ultimate quest for global bragging rights."

You gotta love these game companies sometimes. I swear they must think all gamers are idiots. Why can't the game launch with online play? Why not just hold back the release date a little more? I know you got your back up against the wall EA, the holiday season is just around the corner. So the plan has been to scrap the pack in with NBA Elite at the last second to create more hype for the game. Then release the game a month later on disc for burnt near retail price and not have online play. Most people that want this game our my age, I would think. They have grown up and don't live with or near the same buddies they grew up with and I'm sure would love to be able to play NBA JAM online, but they can't. Sad face.

My personal opinion about all of this. I don't care to play NBA JAM at all. I am however, sick of these companies constantly fuckin' everything up and trying to make more and more money off of us gamers. NBA JAM should be an arcade DLC, $15 or hell even $20, but $50 for this now? No online support until "sometime in December." This is not cool Jimmy.

How you could get Medal of Honor for $4.98 the day its released. Madden Trade-in value $36. Get NBA 2K11 $53 free shipping. Gamefly subscription sale. Big coupons and DLC for Fable III and Fallout New Vegas.

Get it on October 5, 2010

EBGames and Gamestop - $59.99 Bonus free t-shirt. "Join the Brotherhood of Light when you pre-order Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and don the ‘Combat Cross’ premium soft-cotton t-shirt inspired by the chosen weapon of Gabriel Belmont! Available for online and in-store customers only while supplies last."

I'm pretty sure that we are all in agreement that NBA JAM only coming with NBA Elite 11 was just crap. Most of us just want to relieve childhood memories and get are JAM on, not play the same basketball game we've been playing year in and year out. Thankfully that is no longer the case, although those that were looking forward to getting their Elite on will have to wait as the title has slipped from it's October 5th release.

Written on his official blog, Peter Moore, EA Sports Top Dog, stated that “NBA JAM will launch on the Wii, as scheduled, on October 5,” before noting, that “in addition to the Wii version, we’re going to ship NBA JAM as a standalone product on the Xbox 360 and PS3 in time for the holidays. Watch for more news soon on the exact timing of that release.”

But what about NBA Elite 11? Moore stated:

“As with all of our titles, we continue to evaluate and improve the code right up until launch. Feedback from consumers is a very important part of the process. NBA ELITE had the benefit of play-testing, a demo and a lot of our own research. All that feedback revealed some concerns about gameplay polish, so we’ve listened to your feedback, and made a judgment that the game would benefit from more time in development.”

Fear not NBA Live 10 players because Moore has also stated that:

“start with a new roster update so you get all the players for the new season, free of charge,” as well as giving “free Dynamic DNA updates, daily, for the entire season” to all NBA Live 10 players.

No word on price for NBA JAM though. Just know that it will be out later this year. Those that cant wait can still grab NBA JAM for the Nintendo Wii on Oct. 5th.

It's true, NBA Jam is also coming to the real consoles, you'll get a free copy of Elite 11 too.

When I heard NBA Jam was only coming to the Wii, I was pissed off. Now it seems EA is trying to intice us into buying NBA Elite (formerly NBA Live) 2011 by including a download code for NBA Jam.

It's not clear if you need to keep your copy of NBA Elite around in order to play NBA Jam, but if you don't, expect to see a lot of used copies of NBA Elite around the day after it comes out. I prefer to think of it as NBA Jam coming with a free copy of NBA Elite that I can sell anyway.